The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-04-21

hilarious country pastimes. But, as
her cousin Belle said, contemptuous'y,
she might know, and there was no
earthly reason why she should be ex-
empted from joke unless because
she was rich. And Belle curled her
lips in scorn.
Belle was discussing her plan with
her sister Annie and Cora Webster,
her friend.
'The best Of it is, Allison Fosters
initials are A. f., which stands for
April Fool, and then two other young
men OF our set have the same ones,
Albert Follonsby and Argur French"
said Belle, with animation.
But Eva does not know either OF
these" said Annie.
$50 much the better, goosie; but If
she learns of the joke she will have no
one to blame only her own stupid
ity.
Can you write like Allison Foster?"
asked Cora.
"Near enough to deceive her. I
have lots of notes of his that can
study"
mo doubt OF that" laughed Cora.
'Well don't chatter, and will see
what can do"
Belle sat down to her writing desk
and soon produced the following note,
which she read to them:
my DEAR LITTLE EVA You will, no
, doubt, be surprised to receive this note,
we have known each other so short IL time:
but since the first evening we met l have
loved you.
"And you, my darling, do you return
this love. the first and only love OF nv de.
voted heart? Never answer this il YOU do
not respond to my love. for | conld not
bear it; but make me happy by wearing q
geranium leaf in your hair the next time
come to the house. Ely this token shall
know that you love mo even us love YOU,
ours, devotedly, A. F..
april l, 1885,
"Oh, my! won't it be funny to see
her going about with gerani,,m leaf
stuck in her hair, and he not to know
anything about it at all, and lust us
three in the secret?" said Cora thought
lessly.
II think it would be cruel" said
Annie Indignantly. II never realized
before how mean it would 6e; and she
a stranger among us, and the dearest
little soul that ever breathed."
$50 you will tattle," said Belle
angrily.
mo, won't tattle, but / wash NV
hands OF the whole affair" And
AYr1., "a 40 l,.A
significantly:
"Have you thought, Belle, if Eva
doesn't wear the geranium leaf, that
1T Is a virtual refusal; and if you con-
sent to wear it you know what
mea1), you accept what she refuses?'
But to this Belle deigned' no reply,
only to Cora she said, after her sister
left the room:
"Pshaw! know she loves him."
what shall you do with the let
ter"
Send it by post. Won't you drop
1t IN the Office as you 90 by"
eyes, but remember you must let
me know when the play opens.'
"Ill send for you" And the girls
separated; Cora to return home by
, way Of the postofhce, where she
dropped the letter, Belle to join the
% family down. stairs
A lovely, sweet-faced young girl sat
the sofa cutting paper dolls for lit.
Isabel. Annie was reading, as was
wont. Mrs. Chester was sewing.
st then in sauntered Will, who was
- bme from college for few days.
"Well, cousin mine," said he, sitting
own beside Eva, "are you ready
rimed for the first OF Aprl?"
'Why, what comes them" asked
"'Surprises," said he solemnly; "for
substance, if you wished to present me
with your check for fifty thousand
dollars, tomorrow would be just the
day to do it. l should be surprised
at that
$50 should l." said she demurelv.
with dlmples lurking in her cheeks.
"Ihe children are up to all kinds OF
games the first OF April, dear, said
Mrs. Chester, smiling. "Don't let
them torment you,"
BY Willis explanation she imagined
1t to be a day of surprises after the
style of Christmas, only with more
secrecy, and she thought it good
tim, to make each OF her cousins and
her aunt a suitable present
Her father WAS very wealthy, and,
at her request, only week before had
sent her some gifts which she waited
but q suitable opportunity to be-
stow.
Mr.. Atwood had sent his daughter
20 reside in Wilmot with her aunt
because she was delicate, and he
hoped the country air would be of
benefit to her. Only on this consid-
GRAFTON would he have separated from
his only child even for u week. He
hoped and expected that his sisters
nome would be very pleasant, and
MRS. Chester was indeed very kind, as
were all the family except Belle, a
proud, handsome girl OF just Eva's
age.
(. Eut Belle, from the day of her cous-
RSlarrival, had been secretly envious
va, OF her wealth, Jewels, silks and
OF her gentle, lady-like manners,
eauty, everything; for when envy
the soul it is Unsuitable, and
upon any material it can seize
is purpose. Eva was rich, it is
OuO DIG SIAucu I1CucS only AS IL
led her to make others happy;
- lad jewels, silks and la ces, but She
seldom wore them, and dressed far
more simply than Belle; her manners
ought 1pot to have offended, since they
sprung; from unsel6shness; and her
lovelinsss was of the delicate unas.
Stunning, order that was far less ef-
tective than the regal beauty OF her
cousin Belle.
But the latter fancied there was q
growing fancy between Eva and ALI
son Foster, and this fact completed
her dislike.
We all understand how objects rise
in the estimation when others begin
to prize them. Il was so with Belle.
Allison Foster Wa undoubtedly good,
handsome, and talented, "a young
physician, sure to make his mark"
as her uncle Atwood said, truly; and
Belle had encouraged his attention pre-
vious to her cousins arrival, although
che had not fnl1v unado nv, hor MIND